Starc injured, misses final India tests

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc won't play in the remaining two cricket tests against India due to a stress fracture in his right foot, a big blow to Australia's chances of winning the four-match series which is level at 1-1.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement Friday that Starc experienced pain in his right foot during the second test in Bangalore "which unfortunately had not subsided a few days after the test as we had hoped ... we made the decision to scan his foot in Bangalore this morning and unfortunately it has revealed a stress fracture."

Beakley said Starc would return to Australia for treatment and rehabilitation.

Cricket Australia said it would name a replacement player in the next few days.

It is the same foot that Starc broke in November 2015, which put him out of the game for six months. He was also affected by bone spurs in the right foot and ankle from 2013.